Influential National Organization Touts Candidates at Every Level of Government to Advance Latino Priorities
WASHINGTON – Today, Latino Victory Fund, the most influential national organization helping to build political power within the Latino community at every level of government, celebrated historic wins by Latino candidates up and down the ballot, across states with key local elections.
Millions of voters said presente in local elections this cycle, including in crucial states for next year’s presidential election, such as Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Texas.
“We are thrilled that the Latino vote has made the difference in so many local elections this year, and we know, based on the numbers, that we will continue to be a force to reckon with in 2024 and beyond. We congratulate all of our endorsed candidates on their well-deserved victories,” said Latino Victory Fund President and CEO Sindy Benavides.
Benavides added the following statements with respect to key races:
Arizona: “Regina Romero is a powerhouse leader and her re-election victory is a win for Tucson and for the Latino community. Electing Latinos to lead our nation’s top cities is crucial to increasing Latino representation in local governments. Regina not only shattered the glass ceiling when she became the first Latina mayor of Tucson, but she also cemented her profile as a proven leader who has earned the confidence of her city thanks to her hard work and dedication. Latino Victory was proud to endorse her 2019 historic win and we are ecstatic to congratulate her on her well-deserved 2023 win.”
Colorado: “Some races are too close to call, but in Broomfield City Council, Paloma Delgadillo won a consecutive term as the council member for Ward 2 after being appointed in January 2023. Delgadillo is a pragmatic progressive who believes in inclusivity, sustainability, and promoting good governance. We know she will continue to make a difference for all her constituents.
“Justin Martinez has shown his strength and commitment to advocating for issues that matter to Latinos. Through his career in the public sector, he’s worked to improve the quality of life for his community and has also worked to increase Latino representation in Colorado. Justin will undoubtedly represent his constituents in the Thornton City Council with the same energy and dedication and continue upholding progressive values. Latino Victory Fund is proud to congratulate Justin for being elected to the City Council and looks forward to seeing him continue to transform the City of Thornton.”
New Hampshire: “We congratulate Manny Espitia for being the first Latino elected to the Nashua Board of Public Works. Latino representation is key at all government levels, especially in governments that work closely with the public and manage key infrastructure that impacts their communities’ well-being and quality of life. Manny will work tirelessly to advocate for equitable infrastructure access, including paved sidewalks, strong public parks, and timely trash pickup. He will be a dedicated and hard-working member of the Nashua Board of Public Works, and we are proud to congratulate him for his win.”
New Mexico: “Education is a top priority for Latinos, and ensuring Latino students are represented in the boards where decisions that impact them are made is non-negotiable. Jannelle Astorga’s election to represent District 1 in the Albuquerque Public Schools means the majority-Latino student body will have a representative who will work tirelessly to ensure they receive a quality education by creating a level playing field, especially for those who need it most. With Janelle on the board, Albuquerque’s majority-minority students will have an ally who will prioritize the students’ well-being, and support bilingual education and equality. Latino Victory couldn’t be prouder to congratulate Janelle for being elected to this key position in the Albuquerque Public School system.”
New York: “Latino Victory Fund is thrilled to congratulate Jennifer Gutiérrez and Pierina Sanchez on their well-earned victories for New York City Council. Both women were first elected in 2021 after serving their communities as leaders and advocates. That was a historic election year for women in government, and New York City experienced a political metamorphosis, achieving the Council’s first female majority, with 86% of those newly elected women being women of color. Both council members were born and raised in their districts, and represent working families in City Hall. They embody the heart of the Latino community, and they’re leaders who understand that representation matters so the issues and concerns of our neighbors are at the forefront of policy decisions. We look forward to continuing our support for both outstanding Latinas in the future.”
North Carolina: “Latino Victory is excited to congratulate Eliazar Posada on his re-election to the Carrboro Town Council. After winning a special election last year, Eliazar became the first openly LGBTQ+ Latino elected in the state. He also currently serves as the Organizing Director of Equality NC, the oldest statewide organization in the country dedicated to securing rights and protections for the LGBTQ+ community. A long-time grassroots organizer and advocate for low-income, LGBTQ+, and undocumented communities, Eliazar brings with him years of experience fighting for affordable in-state tuition, nondiscrimination laws, and voting rights. We know in this new term, he will continue to make Carrboro a home for all.”
Pennsylvania: “Latino Victory congratulates Jaime Arroyo on his re-election to the Lancaster City Council. As Chair of the Economic Development Committee, Jaime has advanced efforts to rebuild the city’s economy after the global pandemic and has championed progressive policies to build a strong and equitable future for all residents. His leadership brought forth historic investments in affordable housing and community facilities, and he has empowered entrepreneurs of marginalized backgrounds through a micro-lending program that has made Lancaster one of the most ethical business communities in the country. Latino Victory celebrates his victory as he brings a wealth of knowledge, experience, and proven leadership to the City Council that will continue to propel Lancaster forward.”
Virginia: “Democrats won full legislative control. We are delighted three outstanding Latinos will be leading in the House of Delegates.”
“Alfonso Lopez is a lifelong progressive advocate and veteran legislator who has delivered on important policy priorities for the Commonwealth of Virginia. Since becoming a delegate, he has successfully championed legislation creating the Virginia Housing Trust Fund, establishing the Small Business Investment Grant Fund, allowing 16 and 17-year-olds to pre-register to vote, creating the Virginia LGBTQ+ Advisory Board, and raising the cap on nonresidential solar net metering—and the best is yet to come. Latino Victory is proud to have endorsed Alfonso Lopez’s campaign for election in the newly created 3rd District in Virginia’s House of Delegates, and we are ecstatic that the voters supported him at the polls.”
“Phil Hernandez will be a champion for working families, serving the City of Norfolk in the newly created 94th District in Virginia’s House of Delegates. Born and raised in the community, he was the first in his family to graduate from college. He then became a civil rights attorney and has worked hard to improve local public schools and create better economic opportunities for all in the community that helped him thrive.”
“Fernando “Marty” Martinez, is an experienced legislator with a successful track record of service to his community and beyond. We are excited that he has been elected to represent the newly created 29th District in Virginia’s House of Delegates. Marty is the kind of leader who focuses on the needs of his constituents. He is a consensus builder, and he gets things done. We know he is the right leader to help Virginia continue to flourish.”
“Chris Falcon’s win is a win for Virginia’s Latino community because he will advocate for equitable access to the judicial system in the Fairfax County Circuit Court. During his tenure as Deputy Clerk of the Arlington County Circuit Court, Chris worked to expand constituent engagement and mitigate barriers to legal access for his constituents. As Clerk, he will focus on efficiency, customer service, and access to public case information for all Fairfax residents. Latino Victory Fund is proud to congratulate Chris Falcon on becoming the first Latino to be elected County Clerk of Courts in the Commonwealth.”
“Andres Jimenez has an extensive public service record, collaborating with community leaders to strengthen Fairfax’s communities. Jimenez was appointed as Fairfax’s Planning Commissioner in 2020 and is ready to take his experience to serve as the first Latino Mason District Supervisor in the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.”
Latino Victory Fund looks forward to continuing to build Latino representation and strengthening our candidate investment as we head into the 2024 presidential election year.
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The Latino Victory Fund is a progressive political action committee with the mission of growing Latino political power by increasing Latino representation at every level of government – from the county board to the Senate to the White House.
